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Service for Franklin Adam Ripkowski

Another member of the iconic Ripkowski family of Dayton has died. Franklin Adam Ripkowski, age 93, of Dayton passed away on Wednesday May 6 in Baytown, He was one of the 16 children of Stash and Mattie Ripkowski. There were 12 sons and 4 daughters. All 12 sons served in the military and on two different occasions were recognized from the floor of the U.S. Congress as the largest family of siblings in American history to all serve in the US military. On the grounds of the Dayton Community Center there are 12 trees planted, one to honor each son.Those 12 sons are Felix, August, Raymond, Bernie, Alex, Leon, Bill, Herman, Franklin, John, Mike and Stanley. The four sisters were Catherine, Virginia, Pearline and Anna. The sisters stayed at home in Dayton to help the parents to work a large family farm. There is a historical marker on the community center grounds at the World II Memorial, recognizing this amazing military service history. Those recognitions all border Ripkowski Street, named in honor of this very special patriotic family. Now only three of the family of 16 children still survive. Two brothers “Buster” Ripkowski Mike Ripkowski and one of the four sisters - Anna Lee Ripkowski Campbell. Franklin Ripkowski, who died Wednesday, was a lifelong resident of Dayton and attended Dayton Schools.

Franklin served during World War II in the United States Merchant Marine and then again during the Korean War in the Army. All twelve brothers served over a time that spanned two wars and more than a decade. Franklin was owner of Ripp’s Texaco and a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Private graveside services will be held For Franklin under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home, of Dayton.